Qualifying will be held December 7th -9th at the Caddo Clerk of Court’s office in the Courthouse at 501 Texas Street downtown for the March 24th election. Local races include the Town of Greenwood and its newly-reapportioned districts with precinct changes, The Greenwood election is an open primary election.  The Democratic and Republican parties will also have elections for the State Party Central Committees and the Parish Executive Committees. For qualifying fees and times for qualifying, please call 226-6788.
 
The March 24th election will also have the Louisiana Presidential Preference Primary for the Democrats and Republicans. As to “who” can vote in these primaries, I’ll have more on that issue next week. Those choices are PARTY decisions and not made by the Registrar of Voters, Clerk of Court or Secretary of State’s office.
 
As always you can check your party  and voter registration info at caddovoter.org and click on “Where Do I Vote?” You still have time to register to vote or change your party and you can do it ONLINE. You will need your drivers license or special Louisiana identification card.

While in person voting ended last Saturday in Caddo with 969 voters, “by mail” voting continues for civilians through Friday and for the military until the close of polls on Saturday. Caddo had received 700 ballots by mail as of the end of business on Monday. This morning (Tuesday)  there were another 350 ballots waiting for us at the post office. That means over 1,000 ballots by mail to count on Saturday.

Last Saturday was the final day for in person early voting in Louisiana for the Nov. 19th election. Caddo recorded 246 in person voters on Saturday which was the biggest turnout day for early voting for the November election. Another 182 by mail ballots were received.
 
Here are the totals through Saturday for both in person and by mail voting:
1664 ballots…991 Democrats…552 Republicans…121 Other/ No Party…927 white…715 black…22 other…681 males…982 females…969 In Person voters and to date…695 by mail . The deadline for civilian by mail ballots is Friday, Nov. 18th while military ballots can be received until the polls close on Saturday. Over 2,000 ballots have been mailed by the Caddo Registrar’s staff.

Early voting for the November 19th election on a statewide constitutional amendment, the following district elections: State Senate district 39, State House district 3 and special election City Judge district C2 will be held at the Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters office, 525 Marshall, Suite 103 in downtown Shreveport across from the Courthouse during the following dates and times:

Sat. November 5th – Sat. November 12th 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. daily

Closed Sun., November 6th

NO VOTING on Fri. November 11th–Closed for Veterans Day
 Voters should bring proof of  identification such as a driver’s license, governmental i.d., etc. All voters will be eligible to vote on the constitutional amendment but all other elections are by district. For more information call 226-6891 or go to caddovoter.org.

In a November 1st interview with “Talk of the Town” host Tom Pace, Caddo Registrar of Voters Ernie Roberson outlined the dates and times for the next early voting period on the 2011 Nov. 19th General Election ballot. Click Here to listen to this interview with Ernie Roberson.

Constitutional Amendment
All Voters will be able to vote on this issue

Act 425 (2011 Regular Session) adds Article VII, Section 2.3.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment prohibits the levy of a new tax or fee after November 30, 2011, upon the sale or transfer of immovable property, including documentary transaction taxes or fees, or any other tax or fee, by the state of Louisiana, by a political subdivision whose boundaries are coterminous with those of the state, or by a political subdivision, as define in Article VI, Section 44(2) of this constitution. Further provides that a documentary transaction is any transaction pursuant to any instrument, act, writing or document which transfers or conveys immovable property.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment provides that after November 30, 2011, fees for the cost of recordation, filing or maintenance of documents, or records effectuating the sale or transfer of immovable property, impact fees for development of property, annual parcel fees, and ad valorem taxes are not considered prohibited taxes or fees upon the sale or transfer of immovable property.

Early voting for the November 19th election on a statewide constitutional amendment, the following district elections: State Senate district 39, State House district 3 and special election City Judge district C2 will be held at the Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters office, 525 Marshall, Suite 103 in downtown Shreveport across from the Courthouse during the following dates and times:

Saturday, November 19,  2011
Polls Open 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Take photo i.d. to the polls

Early Voting dates: Saturday, November 5th – Saturday, November 12, 2011 (Closed NO VOTING  Sunday, Nov. 6th and Fri. Nov. 11th- Veterans Day)
Open 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. each day. Registrar of Voters office, 525 Marshall Street, Suite 103 in downtown Shreveport across from the court house.  Open to all registered voters in Caddo Parish
 
What’s on the ballot? State Senate district 39 , State House district 3, Shreveport City Judge district C2 and a constitutional
amendment. All voters may vote on the constitutional amendment but the other three contests are open only to voters
registered in the districts specified.